Book description
The haunting conclusion of a magnificent fantasy trilogy, which began
with Damiano and continued with Damiano's Lute. Set against the
turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance this alternate history
takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Weakened by
his contact with mortals, the Archangel Raphael falls prey to his
brother Lucifer, who strips him of his angelic powers. Sold in the
Moorish slave markets, confused and humbled by his sudden humanity,
Raphael finds his only solace in the friendship of the dark-skinned
Berber woman Djoura, and the spiritual guardianship of his former pupil
Damiano Delstrego. Accompanied by the rakish Gaspare and an ancient
black dragon, Damiano's beloved Saara embarks on a quest to rescue
Raphael. Their odyssey leads them to a shattering confrontation with the
Father of Lies and a transcendent reckoning with destiny. Blending
humor, pathos, adventure and romance, the two previous volumes in R.
A.MacAvoy's trilogy have evoked admiration and praise from writers and
readers. Raphael fulfills the promise of the trilogy to forge a
magnificent, moving saga you will never forget. R. A. MacAvoy is a
highly acclaimed author of imaginative and original science fiction and
fantasy novels. Her debut novel, TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON, won the John
W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. She has also written the DAMIANO
trilogy, the chronicles of a wizards young son, set during an alternate
history version of the Italian Renaissance; THE BOOK OF KELLS, and
TWISTING THE ROPE, the highly acclaimed sequel to TEA WITH THE BLACK
DRAGON. She is also the author of the beloved and much-praised LENS OF
THE WORLD trilogy.
